USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation
 Search DOT
            Search
                        About FRAAbout FRA
  

        
              Overview
                Organization
                Program Offices
                Resource Center
                Web Policies and Notices
                Contact Us
                Communications
                Governmental AffairsFeatured
  

        
              Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Information from FRA
                Careers
                Leadership Profiles
                Organizational Chart
                Newsroom
                Press Releases
                Speeches
                Fact Sheets
                TestimonyRailroad SafetyFeatured
  

        
              Train Horn Rule/Quiet Zones
                Public Blocked Crossings Incident Reporter
                Drug & Alcohol
                Safety Data
                C3RS
                High-Hazard Flammable Train Route AssessmentRailroad Safety
  

        
              Overview
                Railroad Crossing Safety & Trespass Prevention
                Accident Data & Reporting, Investigations
                Divisions
                Partnerships & ProgramsRail Network DevelopmentFeatured
  

        
              High-Speed Rail
                Amtrak
                Environmental Reviews
                GIS Maps
                RuralRail Network Development
  

        
              Overview
                Passenger Rail
                Freight Rail
                Environment
                Planning
                International
                Maps & Data
                Training & GuidanceResearch & DevelopmentFeatured
  

        
              R&D Current Projects
                Positive Train Control
                Hazardous Materials
                Highway-Rail Grade Crossing
                Close Call Reporting
                Broad Agency AnnouncementResearch & Development
  

        
              Overview
                Program Areas
                R&D ReportsLegislation & RegulationsFeatured
  

        
              FAST Act
                National Rail Plan
                Proposed State Rail Plan
                Civil PenaltiesLegislation & Regulations
  

        
              Overview
                Legislation
                Regulations & Rulemaking
                Buy AmericaGrants & LoansFeatured
  

        
              FRA Discretionary Grant Program Tool
                Discretionary Grant Calendar
                Railroad Capital Project Guidance
                FRA Webinars
                DOT GrantsGrants & Loans
  

        
              Overview
                Grant Programs
                Applying for Grants
                Resources for Grant Recipients
                Training & GuidanceFRA eLibraryeLibrary
  

        
              Accidents & Fatalities
                Compliance
                Conferences & Presentations
                Emergency & Safety
                Enforcement & Litigation
                Publications & Policy
                Reports
                OtherMenu Home
                        Rail Network Development
                        Environment
                        Environmental Reviews
                        Washington Union Station Expansion Project


            
            In This Section
        Washington Union Station Expansion Project
                                Overview
                Project Area
                Purpose and Need
                Environmental Impact Statement
                                Overview
                Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Record of Decision (ROD)
                Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS)
                Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
                FAQs & Helpful Links
                                FAQ's
                Helpful Links
                Public Engagement
                                Public Hearings: June 2023 - Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS)
                Telephonic Public Hearing: July 14, 2020
                Focused Public and Stakeholder Engagement: Fall 2018 – Winter 2019
                Updated Action Alternative Diagrams: November 2019
                Public Meeting #4: March 22, 2018
                Concept Development Report: August, 2017
                Public Meeting #3: October 19, 2016
                Public Meeting #2 (Info Forum): March 30, 2016
                Public Meeting #1 (Project Scoping): December 7, 2015
                Historic Properties
                
                Public Meeting #2 (Info Forum): March 30, 2016
    

    
    
          Information Forum Summary

Meeting Overview

On Wednesday, March 30, 2016, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hosted an Informational Forum to provide the public with an opportunity to learn more about the Washington Union Station Expansion Project. These elements will inform the Project design concepts and include the historic station, concourse, tracks and platforms, bus terminal, taxi, parking, and bike and pedestrian access. Located in Union Station’s Presidential Room from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, the forum was an open house format to encourage discussion between the public and Project Team. The forum was attended by 224 members of the public, including community representatives, interested stakeholders, and local residents.


Public Forum 1
Public Forum 2.Public Outreach

Outreach for the Informational Forum included email blasts to individuals in the general project database (over 1,000 contacts) and the Community Communications Committee (CCC) who forwarded the information to their organization’s membership. Advertisements for the Informational Forum were posted in the Washington Post Express, the Washington Informer, the Hill Rag, and the Washington City Paper. An announcement was also placed in community listservs throughout the city.

Stations and Workshop

The Informational Forum was designed to be informative, engaging, and interactive. The room was divided into a presentation area (with formal presentations at 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM), and a workshop and board display area. The four display areas, staffed by project team experts, covered Planning Background, Existing Conditions and Examples Area, Project Elements Workshop Area, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)/Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).  Each display area had informational boards for participants to learn more about the subject area. These boards can be accessed here. 
In addition, the Project Elements area included a workstation for a hands-on learning experience with labeled cut outs of each element of the proposed project.  Participants were encouraged to interact with project team members and provide comments at each area.
Public Forum 3.Information Forum Presentation Summary

The presentation began with an overview of the Project Team, which includes FRA, the NEPA Consultants, USRC, and Amtrak. During the presentation, participants learned about the next steps in the design process and were encouraged to engage the Project Team members at each of the stations.  The PowerPoint presentation is available here.

Summary of Comments

Handouts available to participants during the Informational Forum included an agenda, comment sheet, evaluation form, and a Title VI form. The voluntary Title VI form helps the Project Team assure that all citizens, regardless of race, color, or national origin, have an opportunity to participate in and respond to this project.

During the forum, participants turned in 42 comment sheets, 58 evaluation forms, and 54 Title VI forms. Participants were also encouraged to provide comments via sticky notes or flip charts, which were available at each of the workshop stations. Over 70 comments were provided using the sticky notes and flip charts. Comments received during the forum were compiled and categorized by the Project Team and are listed below.

Historic Station

Significant support for preserving Union Station's historic structure
	It's beautiful; maintain its architectural integrity, restore the fountain and return the wooden benches to the main hall
	Do not obscure front façade
	Would like to see concourse and other public spaces restoredConcourse

Improve connections and pedestrian flows to the multiple entrance and exit points by enhancing wayfinding
	Provide more open areas and better lighting
	Expand capacity to relieve congestion
	Modernize the concourse to include better lighting and ventilation
	Happy that there are near-term improvements being made
	Create an attractive and functional waiting area for passengers
	Need more seating for passengers and other people in the stationTracks and Platforms

Expand platforms to allow space for waiting passengers to board trains
	Adjust platform levels to ADA standards
	Improve connections to Metro
	The connection to H Street Bridge and DC Streetcar is important
	Confusion about reducing the number of tracks while increasing train service
	Allow passengers to wait on platforms for the trains
	Have multi-level solutions been considered
	Are Metro’s long-term plans being considered
	Need to consider the tracks south of Union StationBus Terminal

Improve access to the bus terminal from the Metro station and train station
	Design a people friendly terminal with protection from the weather
	Increase charter bus parking
	Why does Metro not use the bus station
	Add info about the bus schedules in the train stationTaxi

The taxi queue impedes pedestrian access to the station
	Move the taxi queue: to the rear (north) of the building, to First Street, to the bus terminal
	Encourage people to hail taxis from the surrounding streets
	Consider having taxis in the parking garage
	Move metro entrance in West Hall to 1st Street and restore this area as a drop off or taxi standParking

Minimize parking
	No need to increase parking in the future
	Provide for parking in the surrounding areas
	Automate parking which provides efficient use of spacePedestrian and Bicycle Access

Increase bike lanes and secured bike parking
	Challenging access areas for pedestrians and bicyclists: Columbus Circle, 2nd Street, 1st Street,
	Massachusetts Avenue, North Capitol Street
	Provide as many access points as possible
	Improve signal timing around stationTrain Hal

Increase train access to improve pedestrian movement, especially from the eastern entrance of the station
	Provide shelter and maximize natural lighting
	Design a sense of place to be educational while attracting more tourists
	No changes needed
	Do not imitate airports
	How would train hall be feasible with the air rights developmentOther Comments

How will inclusion programs (small/minority contractor participation and workforce development) be addressed and at what point during the project implementation process will efforts begin
	Lack of information on developer’s involvement in design
	It is imperative that the environmental impact study address the impact on the community—specifically, how to protect parking on nearby residential streets
	Oppose the Akridge project as inappropriate and out of scale with the historic buildings and neighborhood
	Please address early in the process funding of improvements and particularly user fees by travelers of these are seen as significant funding source
	Delay H Street until decisions are made about the rail yard and parking garage.
	Improve restrooms
	Hopefully plans include options for future expansion below the existing tracks.
	How will the project be funded
	Improve security
	Expand retail in the futureNext Steps

The next public meeting, planned for the fall of 2016, will present design concepts for the public to evaluate.
              
      
    
          Last updated: Tuesday, May 19, 2020 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Railroad Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
                    About Us
  

        
              About FRA
                Careers
                Contact Us
                FRA Civil Rights
                Doing Business with FRA
                Grants and Financial Assistance
                Safety Management TeamsAreas of Interest
  

        
              Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
                Safety Data
                Buy America
                Operation Lifesaver
                Railroad Safety Advisory Committee
                FRA Secure Area
                Proactive DisclosureI Am A...
  

        
              Railroad Traveler
                Railroad Inspector
                Reporter
                Educator/StudentPolicies, Rights, Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web Standards